A selection of the best routes for exploring Sydney using local buses

Taking a trip by local bus is a good, cheap way to see more of a city. I think it’s good to experience a city the way the locals do and get a glimpse of everyday life. We regularly do this on our holidays, even in the infamously un-public transport friendly city of LA!

By world standards, Sydney’s bus system compares well. The network is extensive, and service is frequent in the inner parts of the city. Sure locals will complain the buses are often late in peak hour traffic but when you are a traveller these things matter less.

This article is the first in a planned series of highlighting bus routes I think to work well for visitors to Sydney. The ones where your efforts will be rewarded with attractive suburbs, delicious food or gorgeous views.

Bus Basics – How to catch the bus in Sydney.

Tickets
If you plan on riding the bus in Sydney, you need to get pre-paid tickets. You can pay the driver on some routes. However, prepaid tickets now required for bus stops in the centre of the city and many inner suburbs. You can buy them from convenience stores.

If you are in town for more than a few days, you will probably want to check out its replacement, the Opal card. An Opal card will be the best option for most visits. Read my Opal 101 article and see if it will work for you.

Signalling the driverMultiple routes service many bus stops. So when the bus approaches your stop, you may need to signal the driver that you intend to catch their bus. They do not automatically stop, so be careful you don’t miss your bus while staring at your phone – I have done this 🙂 To signal the driver you raise your arm out in front of you, towards the road. Once on board, a quick hello to the driver always goes down well, driving a bus in a busy city can be a stressful job so a smile and a hello might make their day.

How to use the Opal reader
There are two Opal ticket readers at the front of the bus for tapping on and two by the back doors for tapping off. You tap on by holding your card still over the reader for a second or two until it registers. You tap off before exiting – the machine will only allow you to tap off close to the stop. If you forget to tap off, you will be charged the most expensive fare for that route. If this happens, you can call the Opal helpline 13 67 25, and they will usually reverse the cost.

Find the best bus routes for visitors to Sydney

Best Bus Routes on the Northern Beaches & Middle Harbour

City to Palm Beach – L90

If you have a spare day in Sydney then the bus from Wynyard to Palm Beach, the L90 is a good option. The L stands for limited stops. These buses are much quicker. There is also a 190 bus but avoid that if you can. This is a long journey that takes in almost all the northern beaches as it travels to Palm Beach.

Manly Wharf to Church Point – Route 155

The 155 from Manly Wharf to McCarrs Creek Church Point will have you thinking you have left Sydney wandered into some paradise miles away from the city. The trip takes about an hour and stops at several great swimming beaches along the way.

Milson’s Point via Beauty Point to Balmoral Heights- Route 229

The 229 bus from Milson’s Point (where you are if you walk to the other side of the Harbour Bridge) goes to Beauty Point takes in some lovely harbourside homes and scenery. It also goes past Balmoral Beach, which is a beautiful place to have a picnic lunch.

Highlights

Chinamans Beach

Middle Habour Yacht Club

Clifton Gardens

Alternate route: 246

Best Bus Routes in the Eastern Suburbs

The Eastern suburbs offers something for everyone and takes in Sydney’s most expensive houses and impressive harbour views.

Circular Quay to Watsons Bay – Route 324/325

The 325 from Circular Quay to Watson’s Bay will take you past all the multi-million dollar houses in Rose Bay Vaucluse. The 324 bus detours past Nielson Park, which is a lovely sheltered Harbour Beach an excellent stop for a swim in warmer months.

Alternate Routes: L24 (express service) or 324, 325 outside peak hour or the 380 which makes the journey from Bondi Junction along the coast to Watson’s Bay – a much shorter trip.

Pyrmont to North Bondi – Route 389

Late last year our Prime Minister, an avid public transport user, tweeted that this was his favourite Sydney bus route. Starting in Darling Harbour, the bus makes its way to Bondi through Darlinghurst and the lovely inner suburbs of Paddington and Woollahra before finishing its run at North Bondi. Read my full post on the self-guided 389 bus tour and plan your day out.

Highlights

Fish Market

Gelato Messina Darlinghurst

Paddington Terrace houses

Queen St Woollahra

Bondi Junction Westfield

North Bondi Beach

From Bondi take the Bondi to Coogee beach track for some spectacular coastal views.

Best Bus Routes in the Inner West – Balmain

The 442 bus goes from the Queen Victoria Building to Balmain Wharf. Balmain is an old original working-class suburb that over the last decade has been gentrified these days is home to million dollar homes, some great cafes interesting shops.

From here you can catch a ferry back to Circular Quay, which makes a nice half day out.

Need help planning your trip to Sydney? Join our Sydney Expert Facebook Group where you can ask questions, stay up to date with what’s happening in Sydney and meet a bunch of friendly locals just waiting to share their advice!

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